Thursday, February 16, 2012
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Tenth Amendment to The Constitution of the United States of America
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. ~ Ratified December 15, 1791
Friday, February 03, 2012
"Made, Marred and Made Again"
"And, notice, God did not make man haphazardly, but with an infinite plan and purpose. He made him in His own image and likeness: a creature with which He could commune and fellowship. You were made for God’s fellowship, and to fulfill any other purpose is to fail to fulfill your destiny.
That heart of yours, which, despite its evil and waywardness, in its serious moments cries out for fellowship with the infinite God. That mind of yours, so fraught with evil imaginations, sensual images and earthly aspirations, longs for communion with the divine Potter."
Made, Marred and Made Again
BGEA exists to support and extend the evangelistic calling and ministries of Billy and Franklin Graham by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all we can by every effective means available and by equipping others to do the same.
That heart of yours, which, despite its evil and waywardness, in its serious moments cries out for fellowship with the infinite God. That mind of yours, so fraught with evil imaginations, sensual images and earthly aspirations, longs for communion with the divine Potter."
Made, Marred and Made Again
BGEA exists to support and extend the evangelistic calling and ministries of Billy and Franklin Graham by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all we can by every effective means available and by equipping others to do the same.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
politics making strange bedfellows
Its interesting, and sad, to watch several individuals making attempts to destroy each other, in the name of "party unity". As the GOP contenders for the throne of "King of The World" move forward, their virtues shed and malevolence unmasked against each other, I must shake my head in forlorn sadness that I will cast a ballot for one of these, come November, no other sane choice apparent.
Yes, Obama must go and America must have a chance to regain her footing, but I mourn for a more gracious time, if ever there was one, in America.
Aaaah, to have been a cowboy on the plains during the westward expansion, or a farmer, alone on the prairie with my family ...
Yes, Obama must go and America must have a chance to regain her footing, but I mourn for a more gracious time, if ever there was one, in America.
Aaaah, to have been a cowboy on the plains during the westward expansion, or a farmer, alone on the prairie with my family ...
the first time you hear
"Papua New Guinea (MNN) ― Providing God's Word in the heart language of a people group is a key to evangelism, discipleship and church planting. Without it, people hear the words, but sometimes those words get lost in translation. That's exactly what happened to the Siar People of Papua New Guinea."
The Gospel is proclaimed for the first time among the Siar
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS”. However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." ~ Romans 10:14-17
The Gospel is proclaimed for the first time among the Siar
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS”. However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." ~ Romans 10:14-17
Saturday, January 28, 2012
just a thought
I had recently acknowledged that I suffer from impetuousness and impatience in virtually every area of my waking life; maybe even in sleep as I do toss and turn through the night. Today's devotion from Daily Disciples hits the spot.
Patience - Daily Disciples - January 28
Sunday, January 22, 2012
How do I vote thee? Let me count the ways ....
My wife reminded me of a different view toward casting that important decision in November 2012.
It's not about the candidate, its about what he represents; its about what his party represents. We must set aside our like or dislike of the final candidate for whichever party we most closely align ourselves to and vote in that direction.
Do you believe that a woman's right to convenience outweighs the right to an unborn child's life? Do you believe that our nation should be governed by a foreign collective, the UN, instead of by representatives duly elected by the people? Do you believe that homosexuals deserve special treatment; that, contrary to their own vocal demands for "equality", they should be a protected class, given preferential bias in all areas of American society and culture? Do you believe that no one should have to take personal responsibility for their actions and that, instead, the government will protect those who lack or fail to exercise common sense, from themselves and from society? Do you believe that the Federal Government has the intelligence, foresight and capacity to creatively make your life decisions for you? Do you believe that the Federal Government is better equipped to make parental decisions for your children? Do you believe that it is better to keep generations of citizens in poverty, continuing to feed, house, clothe, and minimally educate them so that the vast majority they will never rise above their current living condition. Do you believe that striving for success in America, for any reason other than increasing your ability to give your success away at the mandate of the Federal Government, is wrong?
If you believe all these things, then you should vote for the Democrat candidate, whomever he or she may be.
If, however, you disagree with these concepts, then your vote must logically be cast in another direction.
Do you believe that God created life and holds it to be a precious? Do you believe that the Constitution of The United States of America is, and should continue to be, the sole source of law in America? Do you understand and believe that homosexuals are already protected by exactly the same laws that protect heterosexuals and that they are not deserving of anything special or different solely because they choose to live differently? Do you believe that, according to all existing laws and God's design, that each of us has a free will and that we must be held accountable for the exercise of that will and that we must rightly suffer the just consequences, good and bad, of our decisions and choices? Do you understand that the Federal Government is made up of common men and women and that each of them suffers the same flaws and weaknesses that each and every other one of us do; that they are not "super wise and intelligent" people that we should blindly follow? Do you believe that the parent is best equipped to raise their own children in the manner of each family's personal views and beliefs and that the Government has no place in that decision making process, other than in the exercise of common law?
These beliefs best represent a vote for a Republican candidate, whomever that candidate may be.
Somewhere between these two views are the Libertarians and you might discover your vote properly belongs there.
In any case, please, don't throw away your vote, and your country, by voting for or against a face, a name, a suit, a hair style, an accent, a spouse or a skin color. Don 't diminish yourself by voting for an attitude. Vote for the party that best represents your views; and then pray that God will guide the individual who comes out in the lead.
BTW, exercise common sense; just because one party claims to be the ONLY party that represents a particular view, keep in mind that politics is primarily a popularity contest and telling you what you want to hear is the most employed tactic.
I remember being in McAllen, TX on the eve of the Clinton/Bush election and hearing Bill Clinton tell a crowd of 10,000+ on the airport tarmac that, if he was elected, he would guarantee a free college education to all their children. This was a ridiculous promise, but the crowd roared its approval, and I'm sure that Governor Clinton chuckled all the way back to his plane seat, certain that more than a few would vote for him just because of that one farcical bit of last minute grandstanding. Politicians have always known, and counted on, what P.T. Barnum reportedly said, "There's a sucker born every minute."; some parties count on them more than others.
Democrat Party Platforms
Libertarian Party Platforms
Republican Party Platforms
It's not about the candidate, its about what he represents; its about what his party represents. We must set aside our like or dislike of the final candidate for whichever party we most closely align ourselves to and vote in that direction.
Do you believe that a woman's right to convenience outweighs the right to an unborn child's life? Do you believe that our nation should be governed by a foreign collective, the UN, instead of by representatives duly elected by the people? Do you believe that homosexuals deserve special treatment; that, contrary to their own vocal demands for "equality", they should be a protected class, given preferential bias in all areas of American society and culture? Do you believe that no one should have to take personal responsibility for their actions and that, instead, the government will protect those who lack or fail to exercise common sense, from themselves and from society? Do you believe that the Federal Government has the intelligence, foresight and capacity to creatively make your life decisions for you? Do you believe that the Federal Government is better equipped to make parental decisions for your children? Do you believe that it is better to keep generations of citizens in poverty, continuing to feed, house, clothe, and minimally educate them so that the vast majority they will never rise above their current living condition. Do you believe that striving for success in America, for any reason other than increasing your ability to give your success away at the mandate of the Federal Government, is wrong?
If you believe all these things, then you should vote for the Democrat candidate, whomever he or she may be.
If, however, you disagree with these concepts, then your vote must logically be cast in another direction.
Do you believe that God created life and holds it to be a precious? Do you believe that the Constitution of The United States of America is, and should continue to be, the sole source of law in America? Do you understand and believe that homosexuals are already protected by exactly the same laws that protect heterosexuals and that they are not deserving of anything special or different solely because they choose to live differently? Do you believe that, according to all existing laws and God's design, that each of us has a free will and that we must be held accountable for the exercise of that will and that we must rightly suffer the just consequences, good and bad, of our decisions and choices? Do you understand that the Federal Government is made up of common men and women and that each of them suffers the same flaws and weaknesses that each and every other one of us do; that they are not "super wise and intelligent" people that we should blindly follow? Do you believe that the parent is best equipped to raise their own children in the manner of each family's personal views and beliefs and that the Government has no place in that decision making process, other than in the exercise of common law?
These beliefs best represent a vote for a Republican candidate, whomever that candidate may be.
Somewhere between these two views are the Libertarians and you might discover your vote properly belongs there.
In any case, please, don't throw away your vote, and your country, by voting for or against a face, a name, a suit, a hair style, an accent, a spouse or a skin color. Don 't diminish yourself by voting for an attitude. Vote for the party that best represents your views; and then pray that God will guide the individual who comes out in the lead.
BTW, exercise common sense; just because one party claims to be the ONLY party that represents a particular view, keep in mind that politics is primarily a popularity contest and telling you what you want to hear is the most employed tactic.
I remember being in McAllen, TX on the eve of the Clinton/Bush election and hearing Bill Clinton tell a crowd of 10,000+ on the airport tarmac that, if he was elected, he would guarantee a free college education to all their children. This was a ridiculous promise, but the crowd roared its approval, and I'm sure that Governor Clinton chuckled all the way back to his plane seat, certain that more than a few would vote for him just because of that one farcical bit of last minute grandstanding. Politicians have always known, and counted on, what P.T. Barnum reportedly said, "There's a sucker born every minute."; some parties count on them more than others.
Democrat Party Platforms
Libertarian Party Platforms
Republican Party Platforms
Am I? Are you?
"First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB)
"Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor." Romans 13:1-7 (HCSB)
"Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor." Romans 13:1-7 (HCSB)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Right To Life news
Exciting news from Texas Right To Life:
Breaking News: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Texas Sonogram Law
Huge victory for women's health and the unborn!
Abortion providers across Texas filed a class-action lawsuit last summer to keep the new Texas Sonogram Law from taking effect. Abortion advocates claimed that the law violated their First Amendment rights by forcing them to disclose certain information -- information about the unborn children they are about to kill -- to their abortion patients. The lawsuit was filed in pro-choice Judge Sam Sparks’ court, and Sparks ruled that the law would not go into effect while he examined the constitutionality of the law.
This morning, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld the Sonogram Law, and lifted Sparks’ injunction. The opposition desperately fought to keep the window to the womb closed since 70 to 80% of women will choose life after seeing the child on the screen.
Texas Right to Life Legislative Director John Seago commented on the ruling:
Yours for Life,
Elizabeth Graham
Director
This morning, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld the Sonogram Law, and lifted Sparks’ injunction. The opposition desperately fought to keep the window to the womb closed since 70 to 80% of women will choose life after seeing the child on the screen.
Texas Right to Life Legislative Director John Seago commented on the ruling:
This ruling marks the turning point in this long court battle over the strongest and most effective sonogram law in the nation, empowering pregnant women with, accurate informed consent information before finalizing any decision about their pregnancy. This law will protect pregnant women from the routine deception practiced at abortion clinics, and women deserve the truth about the life in their womb.Texas Right to Life’s directors attended the hearing at the Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans last week when the three-judge panel artfully challenged opposing counsel about their push for reversal of the law. The panel ruled against the Center for Reproductive Rights, confirming that they “failed to demonstrate constitutional flaws in H.B. 15.” Furthermore, the panel said that the preliminary injunction set by Judge Sparks was based on two erroneous arguments: (1) vagueness and (2) unconstitutionality, and the judges recognized that the sonogram law is indeed an appropriate way to strengthen informed consent before an abortion:
To belabor the obvious and conceded point, the required disclosures of a sonogram, the fetal heartbeat, and their medical descriptions are the epitome of truthful, non-misleading information. They are not different in kind, although more graphic and scientifically up-to-date, than the disclosures discussed in Casey -- probable gestational age of the fetus and printed material showing a baby’s general prenatal development stages.Extra bonus: Court costs were assessed to the plaintiffs!!!
Yours for Life,
Elizabeth Graham
Director
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